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Downers Grove, Ill. — CompTIA’s member communities and councils chose 19 technology-related charities in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. to give $190,000 in donations this year. ChickTech and NPower will receive the largest of those donations at $50,000 and $25,000 respectively.

As part of CompTIA Giving, contributions made by CompTIA’s member communities and councils support local communities and improve education and career options for individuals in need. CompTIA Giving designates $10,000 for each of CompTIA’s 19 communities and councils to give to their own chosen charities each year. Each community and council can give the full $10,000 to one charity or split it among two charities.

“CompTIA’s members bond together in an open environment to build the tech future and the workforce that our industry needs,” said Meredith Caram, assistant vice president, channel marketing, AT&T Business, and a representative of CompTIA’s Community Executive Board. “Each of these 19 charities chosen by our member communities and councils shows how technology solves local and global challenges and boosts the dreams and capabilities of the individuals they serve. I’m honored to be part of an association that pays it forward every day and thrilled to support our selected charities.”

The following charities have been selected by CompTIA’s member communities and councils for donations this year:

• Ability Net provides high-quality paid-for and free services that help disabled people in the U.K. succeed at work, at home and in education.
• Black Tech Mecca works to ensure black people are full participants in the global technology sector by providing content and programs that broaden perspectives and shift the conversation to highlight stories of tech innovation and success.
• Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions, part of The University of Texas El Paso, aims to increase the number of Hispanics who pursue and complete baccalaureate and advanced degrees in computing areas.
• ChickTech works to retain women in the technology workforce and increase the number of women and girls pursuing technology-based careers.
• Code.org is dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. 
• Coder Dojo in Australia is part of an open source, volunteer led, global movement of free coding clubs for young kids. 
• Digital Harbor Foundation offers programs to meet and enhance STEM teaching standards and lead youth to college and career readiness, encourage self-efficacy and build lifelong learning strategies.
• Federation of Galaxy Explorers inspires youth in the fields of science and engineering by providing afterschool “mission team” meetings where students participate in hands-on lessons that support the National Science Education Standards.
• Folds of Honor provides educational support to spouses and children of America's fallen and wounded soldiers.
• Girls Who Code aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science and is working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does.
• Hire Heroes provides free, expert career coaching and job sourcing to transitioning U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses.
• Junior Achievement USA of Eastern Iowa empowers youth and creates robust communities by fostering work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, and using experiential learning to inspire students to dream big and reach their potential.
• Kids Help Phone is a counseling center for Canadian kids which promises to listen without judgment 24/7.
• Kids, Cops and Computers in Canada helps deserving yet financially disadvantaged kids access the technology and tools they need to achieve their academic and social potential.
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children helps find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization.
• NPower assists under-represented talent to pursue tech futures by teaching the digital and professional skills demanded by the marketplace and engaging corporations, volunteers and nonprofits in the success of its students.
• New York University School of Engineering Robotic Design Team is a collegiate research and design team at New York University's Tandon School of Engineering that competes in various university robotics competitions and promotes STEM education in its local community.
• Project Tomorrow is an education nonprofit group dedicated to ensuring that K-12 students are well prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and engaged citizens of the world.
• Teen Tech helps teenagers in the U.K. see the wide range of career possibilities in science, engineering and technology.

“For the past six years, while building our own social innovation programs to put future workers into tech careers, we’ve also supported more than 70 charities chosen by CompTIA member communities and councils with $920,000 in donations,” said Charles Eaton, executive vice president, social innovation, CompTIA. “CompTIA has committed to annually donate at least five percent of its revenues to philanthropy and social innovation, a commitment of $3 million.”

CompTIA divides its philanthropic efforts along three main lines: 1) CompTIA Giving which gives money and staff time to tech-related charities; 2) NextUp, a campaign to introduce tech careers to teenagers; and 3) Creating IT Futures, which researches and develops workforce development and STEM education programs to build new pathways to IT careers.

More information about CompTIA’s member communities and councils and their activities can be found at https://www.comptia.org/communities. Charities that would like to be considered for future gifts should send their information to Amanda Romadka, [email protected].

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $4.8 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the millions of technology and business professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the U.S. economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.

Press Contact:

Lisa Fasold
CompTIA Giving
630-678-8558
[email protected]